About me

Spring 2024

I am thriving and growing as the Grades 3-6 Music Teacher at Buckingham Browne & Nichols School in Cambridge, Massachusetts. It has been a joy to become a member of this caring, creative and and diverse community. Every day, I get to encourage my students to explore their musicality, expand their ideas of what music is, and collaborate with each other to take ownership of their own music. I teach a variety of instruments (ukulele, bucket drums, pitched and unpitched percussion instruments, recorder, and music technology) and facilitate all sorts of musical activities, ranging from singing in harmony to composing graphic scores to exploring different musical genres from around the world. Being the music director of our 6th grade musical Finding Nemo Jr. and collaborating with drama teacher and director Jenny Lifson has been nothing but joyous. The students will perform their show on April 24 (for students) and 25 (for families, caregivers and community members).

Spring 2023

In May 2023, I will graduate from the Master of Music in Music Education program at Boston University, with an initial teaching license to teach music in the state of Massachusetts.

I am a broadly trained music educator, pianist, singer, and multi-instrumental musician who is passionate about music education (teaching and research), directing youth choirs, and community music facilitation. By fostering caring and trusting learning environments, I create a space in which students can explore and develop their creativity and independent musicianship. My teaching practice is rooted in building positive relationships with students and colleagues, and meeting students at the skill levels and musical interests they have, so the music we make is relevant and meaningful in their lives beyond the music classroom.

My musical background started with singing at home and playing the piano at the age of six. Soon enough, I started to explore playing different instruments (guitar, drums, ukulele, trumpet, and many more), writing my own music, improvising, singing in choirs, engaging with musical theater, and collaborating with friends and other musicians in school and community settings. This broad musical background allows me to be a skilled, flexible and versatile multi-instrumentalist who is able to engage with music in many different ways. I see this versatility as a big asset in my teaching practice.

In 2020, I moved to Boston as a Fulbright scholar, to join Boston University’s Master of Music in Music Education program. As an international graduate student with six years of teaching experience through internships and professional teaching, I am constantly prompted to reflect on both Dutch and American systems of (music) education, which helps me sustain a habit of continuous self-reflection. Continuous reflection on my own teachings and the educational systems I operate within, is a core part of my experience as an educator.

My research interests lay in community music, fostering trust-filled learning environments, and LGBTQ+ advocacy in music education.

Fall 2019

I’m a musician and a teacher - passionate about utilizing music to facilitate musical and (inter)personal growth. As an artist I write my own music and collaborate with other musicians. As a music teacher I work in different settings: I teach in primary and secondary schools, have a piano studio, conduct youth choirs, and I facilitate music workshops in community settings.

In my teachings I value students’ ownership and exploration, within a setting of safety and guidance. I challenge my students to develop their ears and technique, explore different genres, and to be conscious of what music means to them. Being a teacher in many different educational settings allows me to explore, compare and refine different teaching styles. I started teaching music in 2014 when I enrolled into the Bachelor of Music in Education program at Codarts Rotterdam, University for the Arts. Ever since I have gained experience in a lot of different educational and community settings across a variety of ages. I deeply care about my students and about teaching music, and feel very passionate about my work.